Exploring the world of science with appropriate preschool activities not only opens a seemingly magical landscape of learning, it sparks the curiosity of young minds and lays the foundations of a lifelong love of learning. It also plays a huge role in introducing the basics of scientific understanding and critical thinking – plus, it’s a whole load of fun!

The following are some ways to easily integrate simple experiments that are suitable for kindergarten-age children.

6 Easy Scientific-Based Activities for Preschoolers

Learning about science is fascinating – and it’s so easy to incorporate activities in everyday life. They also make a wonderful springboard that leads to further conversations, allowing children to question and further direct the learning process in ways that pique their interest.

1. Make a lemon volcano

This easy experiment introduces the foundations of substance interaction. It also offers the chance to talk about geological phenomena and more broadly about the planet.

Items needed:

• 1 x bowl.
• Lemon juice.
• Baking soda.
• Conical (volcano-shaped) container.

Method:

• Mix the lemon juice and baking soda in a bowl.
• Pour into the volcano container.
• Watch as it foams and erupts from the ‘crater’.

2. Build a rain gauge

This isn’t just a fun activity - it also leads to talking about many vital subjects at an easy-to-understand level. Recycling, climate change and responsible water use are just some of the pathways that conversations about this experiment may follow.

Items needed:

• 1 clear container – repurposing a plastic or clear glass bottle is ideal.
• 1 x ruler.

Method:

• Fix the ruler to the plastic container.
• Place outside in a non-sheltered.
• Measure the level of water collected after it rains.

3. Magic milk

The use of colour is always an attention-grabber, especially for curious young minds. This fun activity also introduces the subject of surface tension, allowing caregivers the opportunity to talk about other fascinating subjects, such as how water boatmen and other bugs can seemingly walk on water.

Items needed:

• 1 x shallow dish.
• Some milk.
• Some washing up liquid.
• Food colouring.

Method:

• Put the milk into the dish.
• Add a couple of drops of food colouring (1 or 2 different colours).
• Add a drop of washing up liquid.
• Marvel as the colours mix and swirl.

 

4. The egg bobbing experiment

Adding salt to water changes its density. This easy experiment comes across as pretty magical to children – and can lead to other conversations about how combining substances can alter the properties and create something different.

Items needed:

• 2 x clear glasses.
• Water.
• 2 x eggs.
• Salt.

Method:

• Place the water in the 2 glasses.
• Add salt to 1 glass and stir to mix.
• Place an egg in each glass.
• Note how the egg in the glass without water sinks, yet the one in the saltwater glass floats.

5. Magical magnetism

Magnets are a source of wonder for the young mind. This simple experiment opens up infinite discussion possibilities, plus includes other important understandings about how different elements feel and look, as well as how they react to the magnet.

Items needed:

• A magnet.
• A range of objects made from different materials, to include different types of metals, as well as others, such as wood, plastic, fibre etc.

Method:

• Use the magnet to determine which types of materials are attracted to it.
• Let the child/children handle the objects themselves, so they can feel the pull when certain metals are brought close.

6. Float or sink?

This is an easy and fun way to introduce the subject of density. It’s also hugely interactive as the child or children get to guess or work out which items will float, and which will sink, before they put them in the water.

Items needed:

• A body of water. This could be a tank, washing up bowl, bath, sink or anything else available. You could also do this on a nature walk when you pass a pond or from a bridge over a river (using only natural items, of course).
• A variety of items, such as a stone, piece of wood, feather, fabric, toys, food items etc.

Method:

• Get the child/children to predict whether the item will float or sink before it’s dropped into the water.

These are just some examples of how introducing science basics into activities isn’t only fascinating, but also introduces the importance of questioning, learning and discovery. At Evoke Early Learning, such play-based education is key, with age-appropriate activities playing a key role included within our carefully crafted curriculum.

This, combined with our childcare philosophy of the child being powerful, capable and full of curiosity are just some of the reasons parents and caregivers entrust their most precious family members to our care. Book a tour or get in touch to find out more.

Discover more about our values and contact our team for a chat today.

Sensory play is one of the most effective ways parents, caregivers and early childhood educators can aid brain development in young children. These crucial formative years are a time of incredible change, with thousands of neurons – the brain’s informational channels – being created each day.

Exposing little ones to multiple sensory experiences each day is key – and the following looks at 8 excellent methods of doing so.

8 Great Sensory Activities

The key to helping young children form neural pathways is all about stimulating the five main senses of sight, hearing, touch, taste and smell. The below-mentioned activities boost multiple senses, plus they also help development in other vital areas, such as:

• Language and communication skills: It encourages verbal interaction and conversation, as well as the art of questioning and further learning.
• Social skills: Enjoying sensory play with others is a great way to stimulate positive social interactions.
• Developing motor skills: Both gross and fine motor skills are learned through simple acts of touching, holding, moving and even tasting objects.
• Independent play: The very actions of such activities help lay the foundations upon which independent play and actions are built.
• Problem solving: Many sensory activities, such as messy play and open-ended tasks, create minor challenges that children need to overcome. This is a very important first step towards developing key critical thinking skills.

The following sensory play ideas are easy to implement, stimulate multiple senses and are a great deal of fun.

1. Making mud pies: Messy play at its finest, making mud pies hones the sense of touch, visual stimuli and even hearing as little ones pour water into the gloop and enjoy the sound of mud squishing through their fingers.
2. Food tasting: Trying a range of different items as a game not only stimulates taste, but touch, sight and smell too. It’s also a great way to foster an adventurous approach to food, as well as helping children learn which tastes they prefer.
3. Sensory bins: Fill containers with different items (cotton wool, rice, sand, dry leaves, small pebbles etc) and let your little ones look, feel and smell the difference between them. You can even play this game blindfolded for an alternative that concentrates on senses other than vision.
4. Bubbles! Who doesn’t love bubbles…? Small or large, they’re a great way to stimulate vision – as well as touch when little ones try to grab and burst them.
5. Sandpit play: Whether it’s a large, custom-made sandpit or a smaller box just for the hands or feet, playing with sand is a great way to stimulate touch and vision. Add some water into the mix to add an extra dimension as to how this alters the way sand feels and handles.
6. The wonders of Mother Nature: Going on a nature walk is always a hit and offers so many options for sensory stimulation. From feeling the wind on your skin to seeing different colours, tasting the tang of salt (if you’re close to the ocean), the different smells or tasting fruits that you might find along the way.
7. Finger painting: Hugely popular and incredibly fun, finger painting stimulates touch and vision (and has the added element of getting really, really messy, something kids of all ages enjoy).
8. Music time: Banging on drums, blowing on instruments, listening to wind chimes, plucking a guitar string… Add in some movement or dance and the whole activity means vision, sound and touch all get a healthy dose of stimulation.

Sensory play is given the utmost priority at Evoke Early Learning centres. Our custom-built facilities at both our Albert Park and Clayton locations have indoor and outdoor areas tailor-designed for teacher-led and independent play.

Book a tour to see us in action or contact our friendly team today to find out more.

Much is said about supporting the development of a young child’s cognitive skills in order to prepare them for the transition to ‘big’ school, but did you know that social skills play an equally vital role in their school readiness as well as in how they navigate a more successful journey throughout their lives?

Let’s take a closer look at social skills, what they are, why they’re important and what you can do to help your child develop them.  We’ll also talk about the importance of the child’s early learning environment in terms of social skills development.

What are socialisation skills and why are they important?

Taking turns, sharing, co-operation, empathy, conflict resolution and behaviour management all fall under the banner of social skills.  

Adults use these skills on a daily basis to interact and communicate with others. They enable us to have positive interactions with other people, to establish and maintain relationships and to handle challenging or conflict situations effectively.  It’s the same with young children.

Social skills are a vital aspect of a young child’s overall development - and the adults in their lives can have a significant influence in how they build strong social capabilities.

Practical ways you can help a child develop social skills

There are plenty of things parents can do to facilitate the development of a young child’s social skills - particularly ahead of them going to childcare or an early learning centre or transitioning to more formal schooling.

These articles contain some great advice on your baby’s first day at daycare and how to prepare your three year old for kindergarten.  Ideally, when you choose a centre for your child, it should be a nurturing space where children are encouraged and supported to develop and learn at their own pace, according to their own interests and abilities.

Communication is key

Take every opportunity to chat to your little one throughout your day to explain why you are doing things from a social skills perspective.  “Look, I’m giving you a turn to stir the mixture”.  “It’s your turn to go first”.  “I’m going to sit quietly outside until I don’t feel cross anymore.”  “Let’s go and invite Sarah to play with us”.  “I’m going to ask Dad how he is feeling about this situation.”  “I feel OK that I didn’t win this game of snakes and ladders.  I’m going to try my best next time.”

Children learn by example and will mirror your behaviours, so it’s important for them to not only hear your explanations but also to see how you interact with others.

Create opportunities for socialisation

Create opportunities for your little one to get together with other babies and toddlers - and the earlier you start, the better.  Regular play dates, picnics in the park, community classes etc are all great ways to expose your child to others in a group setting. 

And if your child is uncertain about being in a larger group or is particularly shy, it’s a good idea to start with manageable one-on-one get togethers to build their self-confidence and their skills before they go to childcare or early school.

Help a child understand, acknowledge and communicate emotions

Emotional intelligence is the ability to perceive, control and evaluate emotions - and while it is a learnt skill, it is complex and doesn’t always come easily to everyone. 

Helping a child understand their emotions and helping them communicate their feelings in an appropriate way is an important foundation for social skills and for developing high emotional intelligence.  It’s also important for children to learn to recognise various emotions in others so that they can modify their own behaviours and respond appropriately.

Teach your child about conflict resolution

Life isn’t always a bed of roses and prickly situations are inevitable. Again, the very best way to teach a child is to set a good example.  They’ll model polite and respectful behaviour and will learn from the way the adults in their lives deal with a dispute or disagreement. 

Young children also need clear and consistent boundaries so that they can start to understand about appropriate and inappropriate behaviour and responses in social situations.

Other ways you can help a child handle conflict include teaching them skills such as active listening, accepting fault when appropriate, how to give and accept an apology, being specific about the facts of the conflict (for example ‘you scribbled on my painting’, rather than ‘you always mess things up’), being assertive yet respectful and learning to compromise.

Teach your child about sharing and taking turns

Many young children find it difficult to share and take turns, but these are essential social skills. 

Sharing helps children develop a sense of consideration for others, it helps them value collaboration and co-operation, it encourages generosity of spirit and it helps them develop empathy.  Encourage your child to share their toys, their food etc and give lots of positive reinforcement when they do so.

As mentioned, children emulate adult behaviour so it’s important they see you sharing and taking turns.  Talk about situations where you are doing the sharing (‘Look, mummy is sharing her lollies with you’) and taking turns, so that they so that they follow your lead.

Youngsters who attend childcare and early school environments which embrace values like respect, empathy, trust, teamwork and collaboration are more likely to develop stronger social skills.  If you’re looking at childcare or early education options for your child, you may find this article on why high-quality childcare matters for a child’s development helpful.   

Helping your child develop a sense of empathy

Empathy is the ability to understand and appreciate another person’s feelings - and it’s an important social skill.   When you’re reading a story with your child, stop and chat about the different characters’ feelings.  Ask your child how they think each one is feeling and why it’s important to see things from another person’s perspective.

You can also help your child develop a sense of empathy during times of conflict or dispute.  Talk about how people have different points of view and why every person deserves to be treated with respect, kindness and tolerance.

How childcare providers play a role in establishing a child’s social skills

A nurturing childcare environment will help young children master vital social skills so that they have positive interactions with others around them and start to build friendships.  At Evoke Early Learning’s two child care centres in Albert Park and Clayton, you’ll find warm and welcoming spaces, staffed by highly experienced educators who are passionate about making sure that each child thrives.  We advocate for the rights of all children, valuing, embracing and respecting every one as a unique individual and active member of society - and we invite you to book a tour to experience our special Evoke way of life and meet our team.